Latest news with #TGH
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Pursuit of financial gain': Aussie grape company hit with $1m fraud fine
EXCLUSIVE One of Australia's largest grape exporters has been fined more than $1 million after running a 'sophisticated fraud' scheme which risked introducing a new pest to New Zealand. The Grape House, which is Australia's largest exporter of table grapes, was sentenced in the NSW District Court last week after it was found to have breached the biosecurity arrangements between Australia and New Zealand. The court heard how the Department of Agriculture found The Grape House (TGH) had 'deliberately misled government officials' while importing 145 tonnes of grapes to New Zealand across the 2017 and 2018 export seasons. The company declared the grapes were from South Australia and were grown in a 'fruit fly pest-free area'. However, the department found the grapes were grown in various 'non-fruit fly pest-free areas' with the company doing so to avoid the required 16-day cold storage disinfection requirement. There are no fruit flies in New Zealand, unlike Australia. They are considered one of the world's most destructive horticultural pests and pose harm to most commercial crops. District Court Judge Robert Newlinds SC found the company wanted to speed up its 'cash flow'. 'The offending involved a deliberate and sustained manipulation of the system of export, in pursuit of financial gain,' Judge Newlinds said in his sentencing. 'The offending was not spontaneous, rather, it was premeditated, occurred over a long period of time, and involved a significant degree of sophistication and planning.' The court heard how at the time of the offending Charlie Costa was the sole director of TGH and Colin Egan was the Warehouse and Logistics Manager. Mr Costa remains director of the company, however, Mr Egan has moved on from the role due to poor health. The court heard how Mr Egan had signed 'deliberately false' transfer certificates to the department about the grape's origins. Judge Newlinds said there was 'no suggestion' Mr Costa didn't know about Mr Egan's actions and said the director had given 'no evidence that he is remorseful'. 'TGH is a significant participant in the Australian table grape export industry,' Judge Newlinds said. 'Both TGH as a corporation, its sole Director Mr Costa, and Mr Egan had considerable experience in the industry during the offending period and there is no suggestion that what they did was some sort of mistake or momentary slip.' The NSW-based company has been in operation since 1989. Judge Newlinds fined The Grape House a total $1,050,000 and said the offending had put Australia's biosecurity reputation at risk. He said the fact that fruit flies did not make their way into New Zealand as a result of the offending was 'good fortune'. 'The offending risked New Zealand's biosecurity as well as Australia's reputation, which could have, but luckily did not, cause significant financial harm to both the New Zealand and Australian economies and also individual farmers within both countries,' Judge Newlinds said.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tampa General Hospital adding AquaFence again this year to prevent storm surge
The Brief Tampa General Hospital discussed its preparations for the hurricane season. The plans include the AquaFence, which protected the hospital from a potentially devastating storm surge last year. This year, TGH will also install an interior AquaFence to protect critical areas on the lower level. TAMPA - Tampa General Hospital leaders laid out their plan to protect the hospital during the 2025 hurricane season, during a news conference and tour on Wednesday. The AquaFence, which is TGH's first line of defense, successfully prevented Hurricane Helene's storm surge from flooding the hospital. It can reach up nine feet high, is bolted into the ground and protects against a 15-foot storm and 140-mile-an-hour winds. Dustin Pasteur, the hospital's Senior Vice President of Facilities and Construction, said more water helps strengthen the fence. "The more water you get, the stronger the system becomes because it's compressing all of these gaskets more and more together and down to the road tighter," Pasteur said. Pasteur said TGH will be adding a new interior AquaFence this year to protect departments on the lower level, including the emergency center, surgery services and the sterile procession department. What they're saying "We're bringing in a seven-and-a-half-foot AquaFence to put in the halls of the hospital and around the sterile processing department, because the first floor of the hospital is at 12 feet," Pasteur explained. "If you had a storm surge more than 15 feet, you could end up with a few feet of water in the hospital. This will protect that department." While the AquaFence is the first layer of protection, there are several more that have been added in recent years: workers will cover the manholes around the facility; there are emergency water wells for clean drinking water; and the hospital has an emergency generator room that raised 30 feet above ground to keep it safe from flooding. Hospital administrators also ensure enough supplies are brought in prior to a storm. "We receive over 10 semi-truck loads of supplies, including medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, food, water, linen, to make sure we can care for our patients," said Mark Campbell, Vice President of Supply Chain. It's all done to ensure the hospital keeps this promise: "Tampa General is open to serve this community and will remain that way before and after the storm," Tony Venezia, Vice President of TGH Public Safety. That's important, according to Pasteur, because TGH takes care of so many critical care patients, they can't be evacuated to other hospitals in Florida. READ: Hillsborough County seeking input on spending $709M in hurricane recovery funds "There's not enough critical care beds in the region to take those patients, but also logistically, you can't transport them safely or even with enough time, so you just can't evacuate," he said. "Instead, we've put enormous amount of thought and resources into protecting this campus here in storms, in floods and any other kind of disasters that we can contemplate because there's nowhere else for these patients to go. We're the place to take care of the most specialized cases, and we have to put in the measures to make sure we can do that no matter what." Big picture view Since the AquaFence was installed in 2019, TGH has needed to use it every year to protect the campus during a storm. As a result of the yearly need, the hospital plans to install it ahead of time. It'll be in place by August and stay installed until around Thanksgiving. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AquaFence, whose barriers shielded TGH from hurricane floodwaters, to open Tampa office
Video above: TGH's AquaFence holds floodwaters back TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — AquaFence, the company whose flood protection technology shielded Tampa General Hospital from rising floodwaters during last year's hurricanes, is putting down roots in Tampa. The Norway-based company provides flood barriers to protect critical infrastructure, facilities, commercial properties and more. Surviving the storm: A look back at 2024's wild hurricane season The 3,500 office will be located in the Thousand & One office tower in Tampa's Water Street neighborhood. A news release stated that the Tampa move comes amid higher demand for AquaFence's technology in the region and across Florida. 'With a growing client base and strong relationship with local stakeholders like TGH and SPP, Tampa was a natural next step for AquaFence,' AquaFence CEO Michael Juuhl said in a statement. 'Thousand & One offers the ideal environment for our U.S. expansion— strategically located within the medical and research district, and well-placed to support new client relations.' TGH President and CEO John Couris said in a statement that AquaFence plays a critical role in protecting the hospital and keeping it running during storms. 'AquaFence's move into the Tampa Medical & Research District is a prime example of driving innovation in Tampa and recruiting companies that develop and produce groundbreaking solutions to real-world problems,' Couris said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tampa General Hospital Enhances Heart Care with Cutting-Edge Imaging Technology
This new 512-slice CT scanner excels in advanced imaging, prioritizing speed, resolution and patient comfort. TAMPA, Fla., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is raising the bar for heart care with the addition of two GE Healthcare Revolution APEX 512-Slice computed tomography (CT) scanners. The advanced scanners leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to deliver faster, clearer and more precise scans, refining diagnoses and treatments of cardiovascular diseases. The purchase of the scanners was made possible thanks to a generous gift by the Ferman family to the TGH Foundation. One is located at the TGH Ferman Family Imaging Center in Tampa General Hospital Diagnostic Imaging on the Davis Islands campus; the other is being used for inpatient examinations within the hospital itself. "This technology is a game-changer for cardiac imaging at Tampa General," remarked Dr. Shone Almeida, director of the Cardiac CT program at Tampa General and a faculty member of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "With sharper images and faster scan times, we can diagnose heart disease with greater confidence, allowing cardiologists to make better treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes." The 512-slice CT scanner is a cornerstone of the TGH Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention Program, providing highly detailed images of the heart and coronary arteries. The program focuses on early detection, risk assessment and personalized interventions to prevent the progression of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity-related heart conditions. "The integration of this technology into our cardiometabolic program enables us to identify early signs of heart disease before symptoms arise, offering patients a chance to take preventive action," said Almeida who is also the medical director for the cardiometabolic program at Tampa General. This latest upgrade in cardiac imaging represents a collaborative effort between the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute and the academic health system's radiologists. The scanners feature the latest technological advancements, from deep learning-based image reconstruction to ultra-high-resolution imaging. "This investment supports our mission to bring world-class diagnostic technology to our patients," said Sherri Lewman, senior vice president of Enterprise Imaging at TGH. "By integrating AI-driven imaging, we're improving accuracy while enhancing patient safety and comfort." Designed to enhance cardiac imaging precision, the CT scanners offer exceptional speed, clarity and diagnostic precision. It allows physicians to assess coronary artery disease, structural heart conditions and other cardiovascular abnormalities in unparalleled detail. "This is a significant breakthrough; access to this top level of imaging enables our team of cardiologists to identify even the most complex conditions accurately," said Dr. Aarti Patel, co-director of the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute's Cardiovascular Imaging program, Cardiology and an associate professor in the Division of Cardiology, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "This information is crucial for developing personalized treatment plans that cater to each patient's unique needs, ultimately leading to improved long-term outcomes." "The 512-slice CT scanners significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency by providing high-definition images that facilitate precise interpretation," said Dr. Hristina Natcheva, co-director of the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute's Cardiovascular Imaging program, Cardiothoracic and an assistant professor, Department of Radiology, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "We can conduct highly detailed diagnostic exams, enabling more refined and comprehensive interpretations, strengthening our ability to detect and diagnose cardiovascular diseases." The Revolution APEX CT scanner leverages advanced AI to enhance image quality and enable rapid scanning with motion correction — providing exceptional precision for complex cardiac and routine cases. Its ultra-high resolution is ideal for detailed visualization of cerebral blood vessels and musculoskeletal structures. By capturing larger areas of the body in a single rotation, the system helps to reduce the need for multiple scans and improves diagnostic accuracy with sharper, more precise, images. Additionally, faster scan times and dose-reduction technologies enhance patient safety and comfort, contributing to a more positive overall patient experience. The installation of this leading-edge imaging unit is part of Tampa General's broader commitment to innovation, advanced diagnostics and excellence in patient care. Tampa General's Ferman Family Imaging Center is a hospital-based diagnostic imaging center located at 2 Tampa General Circle in Tampa. For more information, call (813) 844-8288. The Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention Program can be reached at (813) 844-3900 or cardiometabolic@ ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITALTampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals, with two medical specialties ranking among the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 America's Best Large Employers, the top 50 in Florida in the 2024 America's Best Employers by State and the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2023, provided a net community benefit of approximately $301.8 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It was the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant center in 2024 and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North, which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, two TGH Outpatient Centers, TGH Virtual Health, and 19 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by the Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital ( As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APRAssistant ManagerPublications & Physician Communications(727) 510-6363 (cell)ehardy@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
Malaysian Reserve
24-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Milagro Achieves Breakthrough Results with Tampa General Hospital Now Available in Connection Hub on Epic Showroom
HOUSTON, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Milagro, a leading provider of autonomous medical coding solutions, is pleased to announce its expanded partnership with Tampa General Hospital (TGH), which has yielded significant improvements in the hospital's surgical coding and reimbursement processes. TGH is Milagro's first customer to go live with its advanced AI-powered coding platform and you can now find Milagro in Connection Hub on Epic Showroom. Milagro has defined an implementation process with TGH that sets the foundation for future deployments, broadening access to Milagro's innovative, automated solution that tackles critical healthcare finance challenges. Key achievements of the TGH and Milagro partnership include: Reduction in reimbursement denial rates – more than 95% decrease in denials related to surgical coding errors. Improvement in revenue capture – resulting in millions of dollars of revenue annually for TGH. Automation of same-day surgical code change requests – enabling real-time adjustments for clinically appropriate changes in surgical plans. Mitigation of 'down-coding' financial impacts – reducing revenue loss from inaccurate or delayed code submissions. Impacting medical coding workforce challenges – alleviating the strain caused by the pervasive shortage of medical billing associates across the healthcare industry. Enabling coding professionals to focus on complex tasks – by automating routine coding processes, allowing skilled staff to concentrate on high-value, intricate coding scenarios. This successful partnership stemmed from ongoing communication and a shared vision between Milagro and TGH to leverage AI for enhanced efficiency in healthcare. Milagro's AI-driven technology, seamlessly integrated into existing workflows allows healthcare organizations to: Improve coding accuracy Virtually eliminate pre-authorization mismatch denials Reduce coder shortages Accelerate revenue cycles Milagro remains dedicated to developing solutions that help healthcare providers maximize revenue while enhancing their operational performance. About Milagro Established in 2020 by a team of leading medical data experts, Milagro is dedicated to simplifying medical coding and streamlining coding operations. Milagro is leading the change in autonomous medical coding with cutting-edge technology that automates coding more information about Milagro, please visit Epic is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation Contact: meet@ Photo:
